Villa beaten by Palace in race for UCL, Brighton edge past Cherries

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Welbeck scored for Brighton against Bournemouth on Tuesday. AFP

Aston Villa's hopes of Champions League football next season diminished after a 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace, while Brighton won the battle of the south coast clubson with a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth on Tuesday in the Premier Leauge.

Aston Villa had rejuvenated their hopes of a second consecutive season in Europe's elite competition after beating Chelsea on Saturday. But Unai Emery's men have won just one of their last seven league games after a capitulation against Crystal Palace. Ismaila Sarr's first-half opener was cancelled out early in the second period by Morgan Rogers.

Jean-Philippe Mateta quickly restored the home side's advantage at Selhurst Park before Sarr and Eddie Nketiah maintained the Eagles' fine form. Oliver Glasner's side have won seven of their last nine games to rise to 12th, just six points behind Villa in 10th. Brighton won the battle of the south coast clubs with ambitions of European football next season, over Bournemouth 2-1.

Joao Pedro won and converted a penalty on 12 minutes to give the Seagulls the lead. A wonder strike from Justin Kluivert levelled for the Cherries, but Danny Welbeck's winner moved the sides level on points. Bournemouth sit seventh on goal difference with Brighton in eighth, but now just one point behind fifth-placed City. Wolves missed the chance to pull further clear of the relegation zone after a 2-1 home defeat to Fulham.

A fast start to both halves saw the visitors take the points as Ryan Sessegnon struck inside the first minute and Rodrigo Muniz got the winner two minutes into the second period. Wolves remain five points above the bottom three. League leaders Liverpool can take another step towards just their second title in 35 years when they host Newcastle on Wednesday. Second faces third as Arsenal visit Nottingham Forest, while Tottenham host City.